Cake pressing and molding machine



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J. J. HENDLER CAKE PREssINGl AND MoLDING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1959 Jan. 2, 1940.

Jan. 2, 1940. J. J. HENDLER 2,185,174

CAKE PRESSING AND MOLDING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W I TN ESSES.- l N V EN TOR;

@ M25-gg@ l ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED lSTATES. PATENT OFFICE g r v CAKE PRESSING AND MOLDING MACHINE Y John J. Hendler, Burlington, N. J.

Application June 24, 1939, Serial No. 280,955

8 Claims.

This invention generally relates to machines or apparatus designed to automatically form and subsequently discharge patties, and cakes of pliable or semi-plastic character and, more particu- 55 larly, to a machine for producing and discharging comestible articles ready for cooking. Furthermore this application is in part a continuation of an application filed by thev present inventor under Serial No. 253,809 on January 31, 1939.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient machine for handling previously minced comestibles, and forming therefrom cakes of uniform size and even weight.

Another object is the provision of' a machine of the indicated species which is Well adapted to the production of hamburger patties or cakes in a thoroughly sanitary and expeditious manner.

A further object is to provide a machine, of the type above referred to, characterized by a novel rotary former, as well as a quick release and coupler mechanism for the vpresser feed means.

Subsidiary objects and ancillary advantages will be hereinafter noted or become apparent from the following description of a typical embodiment of this invention, as illustrated by the accompanying sheets of drawings, while the features of novelty are more particularly expressed 30 in the concluding claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a staggered plan section, taken approximately as indicated by the arrows I-I in Fig. II.

Fig. II is a vertical section on the plane II-II of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a fragmentary detail section, on a larger scale, taken as indicated by the arrows III-III in Fig. I.

Fig. IV is a part vertical section, and part outside elevation, of the machine as viewed from the left-hand of Fig. II.

Fig. V is a fragmentary section on the plane V--V of Fig. I, but drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. VI is a perspective View of a lower stationary discharge plate hereinafter fully explained.

Fig. VII is a perspective View of an intermediate mold and rotary compressor plate.

Fig. VIII is a similar View of the top or initial feed and former plate; and,

Fig. IX is a perspective View of an annular gear for effecting rotation of' the intermediate mold plate.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, which illustrate the application of the present improvements to a machineV for pressing and molding hamburger cakes, from previously minced andseasoned meat, the reference character I comprehensively designates a substantial base embodying angle-section legs 2 and a surround- 5 ing top flange 3, with a central cross-brace 4. Rigidly secured to the base I are vertical parallelling standards 5, embodying rectangularly related upper and lower horizontal-ties 6, l, respectively,

in addition to atop bridge-piece 8; said standl0 ards, ties and bridge-piece being preferably formed as a rigid unit with the base I. Stationarily seated on, or formed integral with, the base top flange and cross-brace 4 is a bottom disc or plate 9 having a xedly socketed pin or axis v Il), 15. and an eccentrically located aperture or outlet II of .predetermined size for free discharge therethrough of the molded pattie or cake I2, shown in full-lines in Fig. III and by dot-anddash lines in Fig. V. Coactive with the ybottom 20 disc Il by a central hole I 3 freely engaging the socketed pin Ill, isan intermediate rotatable plate I4, having a series of circumferentially-spaced comestible-pressing or mold-apertures I5, and surmounting the latter plate is a stationary or 25 top plate I6 having an axial socket I'I engageable over the upper end of the axis pin I0'.

The top plate I has feed openings I8 therethrough located forsuccessive axial registration over the outlet II in the bottom plate 9; while it 30 is to be remarked that the mold apertures I5 in t the rotatable plate I4 are similarly arranged for passage into and out of corresponding registration with respect to the feed openings I8 and outlet II, while the top plate I6 is provided with 35 a projection I6' for a purpose later set forth.

In order to eiect rotation of the mold plate I4, the latter is provided with spaced circumferential notches I 9 for engagement with radial lugs 20 inwardly of an annular gear 2|; said gear being 40 of a suitable diameter to effect free rotation of ythe mold plate Ill relative to the stationary bottom and top plates 9, IB.

Seating on the top plate I6 is an appropriate receptacle 22 of sanitary character and pre'fer- 45 ably, although not essentially, of substantially elliptical contour, said receptacle having a iinished base fit on the top plate I6, so that when tightly retained in position by finger-operable set-screws 23 engaging through apertured pro- 50 jections 24, integrally of the vertical standards 5, with their pointed ends in suitable recesses 25 in the upper faces of lateral lugs 26 on the receptacle 22, the latter may be substantially sealed against seepage from the interior outwards. It 5 5 is also noteworthy that incident to manipulation of the set-screws 23 the top plate I6 by coaction with the axis pin l0 is firmly anchored to the bottom plate 9 and that both said plates are held against rotation on the base flange 3 and cross brace t. vertically movable in the receptacle 22 is a plunger 2l having affixed to the inner surface, as by cleats 28, a suitable sanitary element 29 of readily washable material such as rubber, said element having the peripheral edge slightly dished down for initial Contact with the hamburger and outward compression to prevent passage of juices around the peripheral edge of said plunger during operation of the machine. Attached at one end 3i! to the plunger 2l is an actuator or feed-screw 3l for downwardly progressing said plunger. In mesh with the annular gear 2l is a drive-pinion 32 at the lower end of `a shaft 33 vertically journaled by appropriate upper-and-lower bearings 34, 34', respectively, of a rigidly sustained saddle-bracket 35, in turn formed integral with, or attached by securing means '36 Ito the cross-ties 6, l and a paralleling channel-section 37. The section 3l may have its flanges lcut away at 38 to clear the top edge of the receptacle 22.

Rigidly secured to the shaft 33, adjoining the bearing 34', is a bevel gear 39 meshing with a smaller gear 4U, fast on a stub-shaft 4 l, in a bearing '42 of the bracket 35, and freely rotative by a hand-crank 43, in an obvious manner. A retainer collar lill is secured to the shaft 33 above the bearing 3i to aid in supporting said shaft against axial movement downwards. At the upper end the shaft 33 is screw-threaded at it for reception of an axially movable drive-pinion 453 meshing with a progressing-gear l-'l for the feed-screw 3l. An abutment collar t3 is secured on the shaft 33 at the upper extremity to limit the travel of the drive-pinion d6 outwardly of said shaft.

Referring again to the feed-screw 3l, and as best shown in Fig. IV, the same threadedly engages through a sleeve 49 drifted or otherwise secured 'in the rotary upper component 53 of a thrust-bearing socketed in and projecting upwardly beyond a shouldered aperture 54 in the bridge piece 8, hereinbefore described; whereas the lower or stationary component 52 of said bearing is sustainedagainst the underside of the bridge-piece 8 by a clamp member 53 and setscr'ews 53. The progressing-gear 4l is, in turn, rigidly attached to the rotary component 5i) by an appropriate clamp 54 and screw-bolts 55, so as to rotate with said component, and clearance at 56, 5l relative to the thrust bearing components 5B and 52. A flat spring paddle or ejector 58 is rigidly secured to the top plate 56 whichprojects diametrically-well across the forward opening I8', Figs. V'and VII and isvadapted for movement from the dot-and-dash line position to the full line showing in the former ligure, for a purpose later explained.

Having described the structure of the improved cake pressing and molding machine as illustrated, the operation thereof may be briefly explained as follows. Assuming the machine is to be used for the formation of hamburger patties or cakes, and that the -parts have been assembledas shown, with the receptacle 22 substantially filled with previously minced and seasoned meat, the operator slowly turns the handle 43, which through the 4gears 39, 40 effects rotation of the vertical shaft 33, and by the gears *46, 4l -nOn-rotatively forces ythe ifeed-screw 3l axially downward, said movement being positively ensured by the valine or elliptic shape of the receptacle 22 `and complemental shape of the plunger 2. At the same j time, it is to be observed the top-plate projection I6' effectively restrains said top plate from anyrotary movement by abutment with the outer l pinion 32 and annular, gear 2l. through the medium of the interengaged lugs 20 and notches i3. Incidental to the operations just described, i t will be yreadilyseen that the hamburger is rst forced into the upper stationary plate feed openings I8 and, as the apertures l5 in the rotating mold plateA i4 pass thereunder compressively fill said apertures in succession and thereby form the required cakes I2'. Continued rotation of the mold plate i4 will consecutively bring the formed and compressed patties or cakes l2 into registration intermediate the opening .|8' and the outlet ll of the bottom plate 9. Incidentally, it may be here remarked that the mold apertures l5 may flare slightly vdownwards so that when the opening I8' and outlet I'I register as just described, and the ejector 58 automatically ilexes from the dot-and-dash line to the fullline showings in Fig. V,'discharge of the formed patties or cakes l2 as they are moved over the outlet l i will freely take place.

When the supply of comestible `or hamburger in the receptacle 22 is exhausted and the cakes l2 in the mold plate It are all ejected, the operator grasps a handle 59 projecting upwards from the progressing gear 47 with one hand and reverses rotationv of the hand'crank t3, whereupon the drive pinion 46 is caused to travel downwards l of the shaft `screw-threading it vuntil it is unmeshed from the gear i1 and automatically descends until it reaches the Adot-and-dash.line position dE of Fig. II. The operator thereupon rotates the progressing gear by the handle 513 in reverse with resultant rapid rotation of the feedscrew 3i upwards until the plunger encounters the clamp-member 53, whereupon the receptacle '22 can be readily refilled. By grasping the gear 46 and reversal of the operations just described, said gear'will re-mesh with the progressing gear @l and return the machine to cake producing position, as aforesaid.

Obviously different sized cakes 'l2 can be produced by. simply substituting adifferentially apertured mold plate l5; also while the machine has been shown and described as manually oper:- vated, it can be easily actuated `by a lsmall motor 'coupled to the shaft M, Iafter removal of the hand-crank 43, without in any way :departing from vthe inventive subject-matter. It is further to be noted the gears 3, l are predeterminedly synchronized with respect to thegears 2l, v 32 so that, a's the mold plate M rotates it will delivei` the compressed cakes lf2 `to the outlet T16 without any binding action between the `relatively moving and stationary parts of the machine. Also the sanitary element 29 is preferably of a predetermined varea relative to 'the-plunger y2l! .Aso as to not interfere with downward movement of the latter until it contacts thecomestible :or ham-f for the purpose herein'before set simpilicity and perfect sanitation are positively ensured for the machine as disclosed, .in that by quick elevation of the plunger 2l', and manual release of the set-screws 23, the receptacle 22 and discs le, l are readily removable for washing; whereas the cleats 28 are releasable for removal of the element 29 for similar treatment.

Finally, while a specific embodiment of the in- Vention has been disclosed, it will be apparent the machine described is readily adaptable to the production of nsh cakes, croquettes, or any other ground comestibles without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims and the state of the prior art permits.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a cake forming machine including a base structure, stationary feed and discharge plates with an intervening spacer pin and mounted on the base structure, an apertured mold plate rotatable on the spacer pin between the first mentioned plates, a receptacle on the feed plate for the substance from which the cake formations are made, a plunger in said receptacle, means securing the receptacle in operative position, associated means restraining the feed plate against frictional movement, progressing means including a quick-return device for the plunger, 'and synchronously coordinated means for rotating the mold plate.

2. In a cake forming machine including a base structure, stationary feed and discharge plates with an` intervening spacer pin and mounted on the base structure, an apertured mold plate rotatable on the spacer pin between the rst mentioned plates, a receptacle on the feed plate for the substance from which the cake formations are made, a plunger in said receptacle, means securing the receptacle in operative position, associated means restraining the feed plate against frictional movement, progressing means including a quick-return device for the plunger, means for synchronously rotating the mold plate, and means effective to automaticallyeject each successively formed cake.

3. In a cake forming machine, a base struc-- ture including a stationary plate having a discharge orifice therethrough and a central projection, a mold plate pivoted on the stationary plate projection and having circumferentially-spaced receptacle being of a contour to include the feed plate openings with the exception of the one registrable above the stationary plate orifice aforea plunger in the receptacle having a` facing element and a central feed screw, means for holding said receptacle in operative position on the feed-plate, associated means restraining the feedplate from frictional movement by the mold plate, gear means including a releasable component for axially-progressing the plunger feed screw, said releasable component permitting quick return of the plunger to inactive location, and operatively coordinated gear mechanism .for synchronously rotating the mold plate.

il. A cake forming machine 'as defined in claim 3, further characterized by a flat springy element secured tothe feed plate with substantially diametric projection across the opening exteriorly related to the comestible containing receptacle, and said element being flexed downwardly to eject the formed cakes.

5. A cake forming machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the stationary `plate embodies an axial projection, 'said axial projection extending through a central hole in the mold plate with socket engagement in a complemental boring at the underside of the feed plate, said feed plate having an eccentric stop on its upper face, the receptacle for the comestible to be formed into cakes is provided with laterally projecting clamp means, and the feed plate is restrained from pivotal movement by kabutment ofthe eccentric` stop against the receptacle outer wall.

6. A cake forming machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the plunger feed screw `is non-rotatively sustained and is axially advanced by a progressing gear, the releasable component is in the form of a pinion normally meshing with the progressing gear, and said pinion threadedly engages a drive shaft with capacity for quick axial movement within predetermined limits.

7. A cake forming machine as dened in claim 3, wherein the mold plate is in the form of an apertured plate provided with circumferentially spaced notches, the apertures through said plate flaring slightly outwards, and an annular gear of corresponding inner diameter has similarly located radial lugs for engagement. in the disc notches t0 effect rotation of the mold plate.

8. A cake forming machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the plunger facing element is in the form of a washable sheet of suitable material, detachable cleats fori affixing the sheet to the plunger, and said sheet has the peripheral edge surroundingly dished.

JOHN J. HENDLER. 

